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Fasting / 5:2 diet

Talk about intermittent fasting and 5:2, including what’s worked for others. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

5:2 Diet Thread! Number 8, fast away fast away fast away all!

999 replies

GreenEggsAndNichts · 14/12/2012 15:51

The continuing thread for those of us following either the 5:2 diet or the alternate-day fasting diet. Both are two versions of Intermittent Fasting, which you can read more about here.

The 5:2 diet was featured on Horizon in August 2012, and essentially requires you to fast for 2 non-consecutive days per week. The other 5 days, you can eat what you like. Alternate-day fasting is just how it sounds; you fast every other day. By "fasting", we mean that we keep our calorie consumption very low, around 500 calories on average, on those days.

I know a number of people lurk on this thread, as this is currently quite popular. Please just jump in and post if you're new- we won't bite. Well, maybe on a fast day. Wink You'll find a lot of support here.

Here is a list of links to get you started with this way of eating. Please let us know if you find a new article or some other information online:

First things first, here are links to some of our previous threads: most recent one before that another one etc!

Another thread which breadandwine has started is a good resource for some of the links and tips that get lost in these big threads. In addition to sharing links, we try to condense some of our top tips for fasting there. Keep in mind, we all do this differently, so these are just tips, not rules.

frenchfancy has a recipe thread over here, please post any low-calorie recipes there so they don't get lost in these bigger threads!

Here is the link to the BBC article regarding Michael Mosley's findings, which was featured on Horizon.

Here is where I would link to the aforementioned Horizon programme, but it appears as if the BBC have finally noticed it on YouTube and have taken it down. Here is a link to the programme's page on iPlayer, which features a couple of clips, and might have updates eventually. Let us know if you find another site hosting it.

A blog post here gives some of the scientific explanation for why this way of eating helps you to not only lose weight, but improve your all-around health.

A Telegraph article which comments on the diet and gives a brief overview.

A study discussed here gives commentary specifically addressing the effect of this diet on obese people (both men and women), with regard to both health and weight loss. ("After 8 weeks of treatment, participants had an average 12.5 lbs reduction in body weight and a 4 cm decrease in waist circumference. Total fat mass declined by about 12 lbs while lean body mass remained relatively constant.) it also mentions "Plasma adiponectin, a protein hormone that is elevated in obesity and associated with heart disease, dropped by 30%. As did LDL cholesterol (25%) and triglycerides (32%).")

Important link if you are currently your ideal BMI: this appears to suggest the benefits for women at a lower BMI might not be seeing the same health benefits that are found on men at their ideal BMI.

And for those already fasting, here is a link to 100 snacks under 100 calories. We tend to favour lots of hot drinks during the day (count your milk if you use it!)

Another food link, here is a link to the BBC Good Food site, with a list of low-calorie soups.

We mentioned BMR and TDEE often. Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) quantifies the number of calories you burn in a day. This measure is best estimated by scaling your Basal Metabolic Rate to your level of activity. TDEE is critical in tailoring your nutrition plan to desired fitness goals. Here is a link to a calculator to help you figure out how many calories you should be eating in a day. (This is a new calculator to previous threads, this one seems to give me approximately the same results the last one did, but without the virus warnings on my browser!)

A BIG THANK YOU to all who have been contributing, btw. Most of us are learning this way of eating as we go along. All of the links above have been posted by others in our previous threads, and they've been very helpful. Sorry if I haven't given credit where it's due, but it was just enough of a job getting all the links re-copied and back into one post.

Come join us, and tell us about your experiences with this diet!

OP posts:
Ilovegoodfoodandwine · 03/01/2013 12:59

Hi, looking to join you all if I may. I found this diet purely by chance, I was given a Kindle Fire for Xmas and was searching for diet books and came across a cheap 5:2 book by Kate Harrison, read it and did my first fast day yesterday, have seen the horizon programme through a link on Facebook and I am all inspired, so to speak.
I did have lunch of a skinny soup of 103 cals and an Asda low cal sausage and mash (which incidently tasted divine) for dinner and several teas, which brought me in at just under 500 cals. Considering I was home alone in a house full of left over chocolates, biscuits, crisps, cheese etc I wasn't tempted to stray at all. But I always these things well.
I did a carb free diet about 3 years ago and lost all the weight and felt and looked great. I have since put on 2 and 1/2 stone and want to shift it before my holiday in July. I feel this way of life will suit me as its not completely restricting any food type and you are only ever 1 day away from something you fancy.
I have read as much as I can of all your threads and feel complete inspiration from you all, so thanks to that.
Heres to a healthy new me...
BMI is almost 26 but I suit being about 21....
I'm 5'9 and 12stone11 (eek thats awful to say) and 31.8% fat (according to my salter scales). I want to get to 10stone 7.

Size10tobe · 03/01/2013 14:12

Hi all, welcome to all the Newbies and Happy New Year Smile
I have been doing this since November and find this thread brilliant. My Fast Diet book arrived on Tuesday and I read it in one sitting - good to have all the info in one place and a few good meal ideas too.
I have done two 500 cal days back to back for the first time, as I did not know how else to fit them in this week. I am very pleased to report that the second day has actually been easier than the first, not as hard to do as I had dreaded. I feel properly back on the wagon now for 2013.
I have seen a recipe somewhere for low cal stuffed mushrooms but cannot find it again - does anyone have any suggestions?

Laska42 · 03/01/2013 15:56

Laska waves to all !! and says a warm Hi to all newbies ...

Blimey this thread has moved on since yesterday morning when I last posted! so many new people

Im fasting today and havent eaten yet today, but have just got in from a 14 mile hill walk and feeling pretty darned great..

Yesterday i had 3 full meals including a pub lunch with wine and today I'm down another 2lbs so thats nearly all my christmas weight gain gone.. )

Haven't got time now but will catch up later .. (though looks like it will be another 4 pages on at this rate.) must go start cooking my dinner now .. I've had nothing so far today so Yummy!! I get to eat the whole 500 at once!! . Making a Tomato , prawn and chrorizo sauce (like you'd usually have on pasta but with loads of veggies instead..(and chilli of course!! Havent given up the Franks ) YUM ! ..

Cyclistist Bro .. wow... you must have enjoyed yourself.. but its great that you've got back into the saddle .. ( its been mainly Wine that's been my downfall I think )

I've read the BOOK now . no it doesn't tell us anything more I think but i was happy to give the Man my ££s and will be passing it on to my DH , he doesnt need to lose any weight but id like to have him stay around if the health benefits work) Also Ill be looking up some of the research and have several friends interested now.

Todays NSV ( Non Scale Victory) ........ tucking my stripey T shirt onto my sz 10 skinny jeans , putting on a belt and being told 'You look great in that !!'Grin

right back later ..

virginposter · 03/01/2013 16:10

Laska, B&W, BecBro4
Many thanks for all your links. I've had a look at all of them and they make for very interesting reading. I've just watched the Horizon prog again and even though we know what was broadcast in August, it's good to re-cap and I found it has inspired me today on my fast day (as I was flagging) and made me more resolute to keep going.
I highly recommend Laska's link to Getting Stronger. I watched all the videos and read the posts after it and I will be going back there as there are many very interesting blogs on that website. The more knowledge we can get about I F the stronger we will become.
Once again, thanks to all who find and share such informative links Thanks

catsrus · 03/01/2013 18:08

Non fast day today and am sitting, waiting for my friend, in a restaurant - looking forward to a free choice from the menu and a bottle of good Wine. Had a lovely sandwich for lunch - goats cheese and roast veg . Another Fast day tomorrow then I think that's it until next week Grin

Laska42 · 03/01/2013 18:15

Enjoy catsrus I'm totally stuffed after my dinner! Grin....

Laska42 · 03/01/2013 18:26

size 10to be Stuffed Mushrooms what about these or these?

Putting these both onthe food thread also

lauryloo · 03/01/2013 18:28

Hi All

I am a newbie to mums net after googling the 5/2 diet and being directed here.

Had my first fast day today and didn't quite hit 500 calories, have ended up at 550, but i think that is down to me not being organised.

Hoping this works, planning cut out the rubbish as much as possible during my non fasting days - allowing myself the odd wee treat! Have 2 stone to lose and feeling confident that i can get rid of it

Bordercollielover · 03/01/2013 18:36

I am hoping someone else can put up the link for a piece of information that is very interesting for anyone like myself who had become obese and whose eating and weight seemed out of control before 5:2.
It is on the Getting Stronger site, under a tab at the side called Obesity starts in the Brain. Sorry cant figure out how to insert the link on an iPad.

Laska42 · 03/01/2013 18:42

there you go bordercollielover Obesity starts in the brain

Thanks for the tip.. will read this later on ..

scripsi · 03/01/2013 18:43

sorry, cross-posted! Laska beat me to it

Laska42 · 03/01/2013 18:48

Grin scripsi just happened to be looking in at that time again .. off now

scripsi · 03/01/2013 18:57

humph was trying to do my good deed for the day Wink to make up for my naughtiness in the sales

Laska42 · 03/01/2013 19:03

oh not quite gone yet .... have just posted links above on the links and tips thread . also with another link on the Getting Stronger site on Hometism (Also mentioned in Dr MMs book) being the theory on why a small amount of induced stress doesn't harm but instead makes you stronger...

I don't think I am quite up for the cold showers or winter outdoor swimming yet though , however TIP2 swims in an outdoor pool all year I believe .. (Respect) Grin

Bordercollielover · 03/01/2013 19:28

Thankyou Laska and scripsi

TheCyclistist · 03/01/2013 19:29

What a difference a few hours can make. Woke up this morning dead set on doing my second post-Christmas fast trying to get back on the wagon after an amazingly unrestricted and unhealthy couple of weeks. After feeling so good after Tuesdays Fast was keen to get a roll going, so feeling full of zest walked down the stairs and into the kitchen........all it took was one glance down to my left where a nearly full packet of wholemeal Kingsmill awaited me pleading to be toasted and cobvered in Bertolli and it all nearly went totally Pete Tong. Suddenly hunger erupted and every excuse in the book flooded my half sleeping brain about why it would be OK to have some toast and put off todays fast. In short there was no way I was going to Fast today.

Somehow though the skinny half of my brain, the half that remembered how good I've felt since starting this in August managed to direct my hand away from the toaster on towards the kettle. One cup of tea later and things seemed much better (the Kinsmill was still calling though).

So it's now 7.20 in the evening and I still haven't broken the Fast, basically the easiest day I've had fasting for a long, long time Confused . Tbh that sudden attack of the hunger pangs has probably done me a huge favour as next time when I'm hit with a crisis so early on in the day I'll be able to think back to today and realise it is still do-able Grin

Laska , evening sis yeah Christmas was a time of HUGE excess....but to be honest I'm really glad to be back 4:3ing Confused figure that one out eh. And well done to you for chipping away at those pounds so quickly, Also hope my Godchild had a good first Christmas Xmas Grin

Good luck all and welcome to yet more newbies Smile and de-lurkers.

StayingRed · 03/01/2013 19:33

Hi Hope I can join you all please.. Im a nanna in my 50's with grandchild number 3 on the way he/she is due in June and I will be looking after littleone 3 days a week while DIL goes back to work ..I need to lose around 3 or 4 stone which have crept on since the start of menopause...

I watched the horizon programme a while ago and think it looks like a really good plan .. Ive tried other diets in the past mainly calorie restricted and lost lots of weight but was always longing for things I couldnt have ..and it all gradually creeps back on.

Dieting this way 2 days fasting a week is a great idea that I think I will be able to stick to.

My fasting days will be Tuesdays and Thursdays I started today and decided to have mainly drinks during the day Tea/Coffee made with just a splash of skimmed milk and a sweetner..then around 5.30 I had a small tin of Tuna chunks in water (drained) with mushrooms over and then a tin of tomatos with dried herbs and heated through in the oven for 20 mins felt like I was having a "proper" meal ..probably less then 500 calories but the knowledge I will be eating ok tomorrow makes it seem easier.

This thread is great and sharing with you ladies im sure is going to be a big help Thanks

StayingRed · 03/01/2013 19:36

Ladies and men Smile

GreenEggsAndNichts · 03/01/2013 19:48

oh heck I've dipped a toe in the 5:2 Facebook group and I definitely can't stay posting there! If you think this thread moves quickly, you ain't seen nothin' yet. ;) I can't even keep up with the one post I responded to, and the subsequent discussion.

Also, we might be friendlier here. There, I said it. :)

OP posts:
GreenEggsAndNichts · 03/01/2013 19:51

Welcome to the thread, Staying! Sounds good to me so far! I find if I save my eating for dinnertime, I can have a decent meal and not really think about it too much. And yes, it's always nice to know that you can have something special tomorrow if you want! :)

OP posts:
TheCyclistist · 03/01/2013 19:59

Sorry Laska, meant nephew not God child

369thegoosedrankwine · 03/01/2013 20:19

First fast today is done. I found until 4pm really easy then I dipped and felt a bit quick tempered and shaky.

I had soup for lunch then soup for dinner. I might have gone to 600 cals instead of 500 but it is a start. Getting weighed tomorrow and then next fasts are next Tuesday and Thursday, I feel slimmer and my bloated feeling from Christmas has gone.

I can't believe how easy the first part of the day was.

mamarun · 03/01/2013 20:20

Greeneggsandnichts I know what you mean. I too dipped into the Facebook group. This group is definitely warmer. Perhaps there is something in keeping anonymous.

Have been off the thread for the last few weeks as getting over a nasty flu bug. Wasn't able to fast over the Xmas break but partly due to reduced appetite and partly due to sickness didn't overindulge. So luckily weight yo yoed a bit but overall didn't go up much. Had first day fast of 2013 yesterday. Feel so great today. And the scales definitely showed an improvement. And I had the first person yesterday who doesn't know what I am doing comment that I had lost weight - and that was with me wearing a thick coat. Yippee!

catsrus · 03/01/2013 20:30

Yes welcome again to the newbies - and stayingred there are a few of us who piled on those post menopausal pounds Blush this is the first time I've managed to shift them!

I had a look at the Facebook group too greeneggs - think i'll stick with this one Smile.

Well I had a lovely meal, starters and main but was too full for pudding - liked the idea but knew I was actually full so didnt indulge - I don't have a huge sweet tooth anyway. Friend turned out to be off the booze for January so we didn't have Wine -all in all it was a pretty healthy meal. Fast day tomorrow so hope I'll kick start the post xmas weight loss and get the waist measurement out of the danger zone in the next few months.

Well done cyclist for getting over that initial temptation :-) and laska thanks for the links!